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About two years after Sightful’s Spacetop first emerged as a sort of display-less virtual computer, Spacetop is ready for liftoff — this time as a subscription-based Windows app that runs on third-party hardware, including laptops with NPUs. What’s Spacetop? Using a pair of AR glasses from XReal, Sightful’s Spacetop AR platform surrounds you with a gigantic 100-inch virtual screen so that you can work on a virtual “multi-monitor” setup virtually anywhere. The primary appeal is to help you work in a cramped environment like a plane or a hotel room, where the virtual workspace offers you some of the advantages of a home office. In 2023, Sightful showed off the Spacetop, which was like a Chromebook without a display. Sightful now utilizes the xReal Air ultra 2 AR glasses in place of the previously tethered AR glasses. If you didn’t own multiple displays and a Thunderbolt dock, fine — the AR setup surrounded you with virtual displays. Today’s Spacetop Bundle makes some changes, though the concept remains the same. Instead of AR glasses that were essentially tethered to the computing solution, Sightful uses the XReal Air Ultra 2 AR glasses instead. The most significant change involves the computer: you’ll need a laptop with an NPU of some sort (a Copilot+ PC isn’t necessary, but a basic NPU like a Core Ultra 100 series is) to power the Spacetop app itself. Yes, Spacetop is now a subscription-based application that runs on top of Windows, and it’s $200 per year. The old Sightful Spacetop.Sightful The Xreal Air Ultra 2 AR glasses output at 1080p per eye, at up to 120 Hz, with three dimming levels so that you can essentially block out extraneous light. Custom lenses are available: prescription single-lens inserts cost $50, while prescription progressive lenses cost $150. Unfortunately, you can’t wear glasses with the Spacetop/XReal headset. This concept might sound a bit like Apple’s Vision Pro — but Spacetop’s AR glasses from Xreal weigh 83 grams, while Apple’s headset weighs up to 650 grams. That’s a neck cramp waiting to happen. Yes, it’s a hefty price: the $899 Spacetop Bundle includes the AR glasses and a year’s worth ($200) of the Spacetop subscription. But you’ll need to either buy or own your own laptop on top of that, too. Sightful has been selling preorders of the bundle for $950, with a two-year Spacetop subscription offering for $1,050. (The subscriptions renew at $200 per year.) Spacetop running on a Windows machine.Sightful Work on the road and in the air Spacetop aims to enable you to bring an office-like environment with you wherever you go, utilizing AR technology. We’ve heard this concept before: part of Meta’s ill-timed metaverse push around the Meta Quest Pro was a virtual workspace, where you were surrounded by virtual screens. It didn’t work, in part because the screens were simply too low-resolution to be useful, and the headset was too heavy. Likewise, Microsoft’s original HoloLens, which I loved, was paired with a Microsoft Mixed Reality headsets — which bombed — but included an ability to pin “screens” inside of a workspace that could remain persistent while you walked around. Spacetop combines elements of both. It not only allows you to move and pin applications on what the company calls a 100-inch virtual screen but also set up a “travel mode” where the screens move with you as you move around. All of that happens via the NPU. At CES 2025 in January, Sightful representatives informed me that the company shifted its strategy in 2024, following the introduction of the Copilot+ PC and the NPU in general. They also announced plans to launch the Spacetop later that year in May 2024. On the Spacetop’s laptop, the NPU simply offloads some of the functions that were previously assigned to the CPU and the GPU — it fits within the traditional role of the NPU, which is to perform some AI-specific tasks much more efficiently than elsewhere. The idea is that efficiency translates into longer battery life. Early customers also didn’t like that the first Sightful iterations were essentially Android phones, with no ability to run Windows apps. It’s not entirely clear whether you’ll be able to run Chrome, or Edge, or a browser with plugins, let alone take a Zoom call while your face is obscured by a headset. The question is, will such a specialty device take off? Spacetop’s launch seemed less certain a couple of years ago, essentially requiring a specialized device for plane use. But now it looks much more useful as just another Windows app combined with a laptop and AR glasses that you can store in your carry-on. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Excellent image quality in SDR and HDR Attractive yet functional design Thunderbolt 4 connectivity Many image quality modes and options Cons Just one Thunderbolt 4-in and two video inputs Limited downstream USB connectivity More expensive than other 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors Our Verdict The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM delivers excellent OLED image quality and high refresh rates, though limited connectivity holds it back. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today There’s no shortage of 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors available right now, and all of them are excellent for movies, games, and general use. But what about creative professionals? Though any QD-OLED can do the job, many such displays lack the design and feature set professional shoppers prefer. The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM fills that gap. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best 4K monitors for comparison. Asus ProArt PA32UCDM specs and features The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM’s spec sheet looks great, if a bit boring. It’s a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitor with 3840×2160 resolution, a 10-bit QD-OLED panel, and a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz. It also supports Adaptive Sync and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified. These specifications are more or less identical to other 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors, like the HP Omen Transcend 32 and MSI MPG 32URXW. Display size: 32-inch 16:9 aspect ratio Native resolution: 3840×2160 Panel type: 10-bit QD-OLED Refresh rate: 240Hz Adaptive sync: Yes, Adaptive Sync with VRR HDR: VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black Certified Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 4-in port, 1x Thunderbolt 4-out (for Daisy Chain), 1x HDMI 2.1 port, 1x USB-C with up to 96 watts of Power Delivery, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 Additional features: Ambient light sensor Audio: 2x 3-watt speakers Warranty: 3-year warranty Price: $1899.99 MSRP The ProArt stands apart thanks to its connectivity, though not entirely in a good way. It has a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, one for Thunderbolt 4-in and a second for Thunderbolt 4-out (to be used to daisy chain to a second monitor). This is rare for any monitor, and especially rare for OLED. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 hints at the monitor’s professional intent but, as I’ll discuss, also leads to the omission of ports many shoppers will expect. Asus ProArt PA32UCDM design The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is part of the ProArt line-up, obviously, but it doesn’t look like the ProArt devices you’ve most likely laid eyes on before. It ditches the simple black and charcoal look of more affordable ProArt monitors for an elegant, stylish silver look. And it’s not just a look. The ProArt makes extensive use of metal across both the display panel and the stand. This helps the monitor offer a sleek profile while delivering a robust feel that very few competitors can match. Of all that I’ve tested recently, Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G8 is the only one that’s equally attractive. Matthew Smith / Foundry Looks aside, the monitor’s design is functional. The stand ergonomically adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and pivot. It also has an extremely narrow base, which minimizes the monitor’s footprint on a desk. As with most monitors, a 100mm x 100mm VESA mount is available for connecting the ProArt to third-party monitor arms and stands. The PA32UCDM monitor offers a sleek profile while delivering a robust feel that very few competitors can match. Asus ProArt PA32UCDM connectivity The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM leans heavily on Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C. Perhaps too heavily. First, about those Thunderbolt ports. There’s two, but they’re not equal. One is the primary Thunderbolt port with support for USB-C, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery. The second is a Thunderbolt-out port intended for daisy-chain connections to a second monitor. That means you can plug a laptop into the ProArt over Thunderbolt, then plug a second monitor into the ProArt. However, the ProArt otherwise doesn’t offer much opportunity to tap into Thunderbolt 4’s bandwidth. It has just two downstream USB ports (one USB-C and one USB-A) and lacks an Ethernet jack or audio-out connection. Though it can technically function as a Thunderbolt hub, the ProArt’s limited range of downstream connectivity is a big downside. Thunderbolt 4 aside, the monitor has just one additional display input: HDMI 2.1. Yes, that means DisplayPort is absent, and just two video inputs are available. I find that decision weird, as DisplayPort is the most universal video output for desktop video cards. In summary, connectivity is the ProArt’s most significant weakness, and one that I find surprising. I expect shoppers will compare the ProArt to other high-end 32-inch 4K displays, such as the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE and BenQ PD3226G. The Asus has far fewer ports than either. Even the HP Omen Transcend 32 has superior connectivity, and it’s hundreds of dollars less expensive. Asus ProArt PA32UCDM menus and features A joystick control tucked just behind the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM’s bottom bezel provides quick, responsive access to the on-screen controls. I also like the menu system. It’s easy to navigate and has a larger font size than many competitors. Alternatively, most monitor features can be changed with Asus’ DisplayWidget app, available for Windows 11/10 and MacOS. It’s no work of art, but it goes a bit beyond the bare necessities. For example, DisplayWidget automatically changes the look of the UI to match the branding of the Asus monitor you own.Either way, you’re likely to spend a bit more time in the menu than with other monitors, because the ProArt has a truckload of features. We’re talking 15 SDR presets (including sRGB, DCI-P3, AdobeRGB, BT.2020, DICOM, and Rec.709) plus five HDR modes (including Dolby Vision). You’ll also find color temperature and gamma adjustments that target precise values and six-axis color calibration. Asus has its own calibration software to help users fine-tune the monitor. Matthew Smith / Foundry Other monitor features include picture-by-picture and picture-in-picture modes, an on-screen ruler to help measure the size of objects on the screen, and a uniform brightness mode that limits the overall brightness of the display to achieve better luminance uniformity. The monitor has an ambient light sensor that serves two functions. First, it can sync the brightness and color temperature of the display to fit your environment, which helps the monitor provide a consistent image quality experience. Second, it can dim the display when you move away from it to save power and reduce the likelihood of OLED burn-in. I think ambient light sensors are an underrated feature that improve day-to-day ease of use, so I’m glad to see one here.  Speakers are included, too, though they don’t impress. The speakers provide enough volume to fill a small office with tunes, but the audio is thin and can become distorted when it attempts to deliver bass.  Asus ProArt PA32UCDM SDR image quality The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is all about image quality. Yes, every monitor is better if it looks nice, but an expensive monitor like the ProArt must look amazing. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t serve its purpose (or justify its price). Matthew Smith / Foundry We start off with brightness, where the ProArt reached an excellent peak SDR brightness of 294 nits. That’s not as high as IPS-LCD monitors, which can exceed 400 nits, but it’s very bright for SDR on an OLED monitor. It’s also far more than adequate for its intended purpose. A display like the ProArt is best used in a room with light control, in which case the brightness is relevant. But if you do like to work with your shades drawn back, well, the ProArt will look more vivid than most 32-inch QD-OLED displays. Note, though, that the ProArt has a glossy finish. You should expect to see reflections when viewing dark images in a brightly lit room. Matthew Smith / Foundry OLED panels can reach a minimum luminance of zero nits and can do so per-pixel. That translates to an incredible sense of depth and immersion, as well as deep and inky black levels in darker scenes. Moody movies and games, like Resident Evil 2 Remake or The Batman, look superb on an OLED display like the ProArt. All OLED displays do well here, so the ProArt has no advantage (or disadvantage) against QD-OLED alternatives. However, as the graph shows, it comes out way ahead of IPS-LCD displays like the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE. Matthew Smith / Foundry Color gamut testing looks at the range of color a monitor can display. The ProArt does well here, with coverage of 100 percent of sRGB, 97 percent of DCI-P3, and 94 percent of AdobeRGB. This is a very broad color gamut that’s well suited to professional creative work, but it’s not remarkable for a monitor in this category. That feels almost bizarre to say, because a color gamut this wide was hard to come by just five years ago. But, as the graph shows, most high-end monitors sold in 2025 offer a very wide color gamut. Matthew Smith / Foundry The wide color gamut is supported by excellent color accuracy. Most OLEDs do rather well here, but the ProArt is at the top of its class. It provides an incredibly realistic, lifelike image on par with the best monitor sold today. Image accuracy is further supported by the ProArt’s gamma curve of 2.2. That’s right on target, and it means content viewed on the monitor looks just as bright as it should, preserving good detail in both bright highlights and shadows. The color temperature came in at 6400K, just a hair south of the target of 6500K. I found the variance hard to discern. Sharpness is good, as well, thanks to the monitor’s native resolution of 3840×2160. That works out to be about 143 pixels per inch (ppi) across the 31.5-inch panel. By comparison, a typical 27-inch 4K monitor packs 163 pixels per inch, while a 27-inch 1080p monitor has just 81 pixels per inch. Overall, the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM’s SDR image quality doesn’t disappoint. Although it’s like other QD-OLED monitors, it does have several small advantages when compared to other, less expensive displays. The ProArt’s out-of-box color is more accurate than usual, its gamma and color temperature results are close to ideal, and it provides a broad range of image quality adjustments for further calibration. These advantages won’t matter much when watching YouTube or playing PC games, but they make the ProArt a superior pick for those who want an OLED display for creative work like digital art, photography, and video editing. Asus ProArt PA32UCDM HDR image quality The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is VESA DisplayHDR 400 True Black certified, which is the level of certification most QD-OLED monitors achieve. However, it can become rather bright when small portions of the display are lit. Matthew Smith / Foundry I measured a maximum sustained brightness of 896 nits in a 10 percent window, meaning 10 percent of the display’s area was lit. That’s a strong result, though, as the graph shows, it’s typical for the latest QD-OLED displays. In the real world, I was impressed by the ProArt HDR. It delivered bold, yet accurate color and provided eye-searing HDR highlights. OLED used to be quite noticeably behind Mini-LED in HDR, but the latest OLEDs have closed that gap (and the lack of good Mini-LED monitors doesn’t help that technology’s case). The ProArt also provides an unusually wide range of HDR presets, which include presets for HDR BT.2020 and HDR Dolby Vision, among others. These also provide several clipping modes which change how luminance is handled in HDR. Overall, the ProArt’s range of HDR adjustment is much wider than typical, and those who plan to work professionally with HDR content may need these modes to check the accuracy and consistency of HDR video and images. Asus ProArt PA32UCDM motion performance Although obviously not targeted at gamers, the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM can hit a refresh rate of up to 240Hz. It also has Adaptive Sync support. That means it should work with AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and I was able to use FreeSync with the monitor connected to my AMD Radeon 7800 XT video card. However, this is not official, so it’s possible (though not very likely) you’ll run into edge cases where FreeSync or G-Sync don’t work as expected. Of course, a 240Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync helps the monitor provide great motion clarity, and the ProArt looks as crisp in motion as QD-OLED alternatives marketed towards gamers. That’s good news if you want one monitor that’s great for work and play. The improved refresh rate is also relevant for work. Fast-moving text and images remain legible, so it’s possible to read text when scrolling through a document or quickly identify an image while rapidly moving through previews or thumbnails. This benefit isn’t often discussed, but it’s a noticeable advantage over a 60Hz or even 120Hz competitor, like the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE. It has a fan This is a minor point, but one worth knowing before you buy. The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM has a fan, and you will hear it if you’re using the monitor in a quiet room. It’s not very loud, and the fan noise wasn’t grating, but it was noticeable. Should you buy the Asus ProArt PA32UCDM? The Asus ProArt PA32UCDM is a great choice if you want a QD-OLED monitor for creative professional work. The PA32UCDM provides superb image quality, attractive yet functional design, and a wide range of image quality options. Unfortunately, the monitor could benefit from more connectivity (including more USB-A and a DisplayPort input). Competitors like the Dell UltraSharp U3225QE and BenQ PD3226G don’t match the PA32UCDM’s image quality, but they offer numerous extra ports. The ProArt’s lack of ports means some owners will still need a Thunderbolt or USB-C hub, which is a tall order, because the ProArt is already more expensive than its peers. That does limit the ProArt’s appeal. Unlike the Dell U3225QE, which is great for a broad range of white-collar office work and any home office setup, the ProArt is laser-focused on creative professionals, and especially those who want to work in HDR. If that’s you, though, the ProArt is a go-to pick. Read...

TL;DR: Score Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for just $27.97 (reg. $499) and save a massive amount compared to buying it from Microsoft. Offer ends April 27. Looking for a top-notch development environment that won’t empty your wallet? Right now, you can snag Visual Studio Professional 2022 for the incredibly low price of $27.97. That’s a huge discount compared to the typical price of $499 you might see elsewhere, including directly from Microsoft. Visual Studio Professional 2022 is a fully-featured 64-bit development hub used by professionals everywhere to build all kinds of applications. This isn’t some stripped-down version; you get the real deal to craft apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and the web. It’s got the tools to work with .NET MAUI for those cross-platform projects and Blazor for web UIs in C#. You can even build and test your .NET and C++ code on Linux. Forget constantly recompiling—the hot reload feature lets you see your changes live. IntelliCode acts like your coding buddy, suggesting and even completing lines of code to speed things up. Plus, CodeLens gives you handy insights into your code’s history and who touched what. And when you’re working with a team? Live Share allows real-time collaboration, making it easier to debug and build together. Get Visual Studio Professional 2022 while it’s just $27.97 until April 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT with no coupon needed (reg. $499). Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2022 for WindowsSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

A Solomon Islands foreign affairs official says the `Pacific needs predictability in all our cooperation with everyone` amid geostrategic shifts. Read...

Back at CES 2025, Samsung revealed their latest monitors including the much-anticipated 27-inch 4K 240Hz OLED display as well as the more niche—but still exciting—Odyssey 3D-without-glasses monitor. Samsung wasn’t ready to talk details at CES, but now they’ve lifted the veil and I was able to go hands-on with their newest gaming displays, including the Odyssey 3D (G90XF) and 27-inch 4K Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF). These are the flagship monitors in the company’s 2025 line-up. So, do they hold up? Here’s what I found. Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XF Samsung actually first teased the Odyssey 3D G90XF all the way back at CES 2024. The company didn’t say much about it after that, so I’d figured it would never see store shelves. But it’s no myth! In fact, it’s now available for pre-order from Samsung or Best Buy at $1,999.99. The “3D” in the model’s name calls out the monitor’s lenticular glasses-less 3D technology. This new tech uses a specialized display panel layer to redirect light in a way that creates a 3D effect without 3D glasses. But how does it look? Fantastic! The Odyssey 3D G90XF is a 27-inch 4K (3840×2160) monitor, so it looks rather sharp. Lenticular displays like the G90XF have, in the past, suffered a distracting moiré pattern. However, modern lenticular displays like this one solve the problem with higher resolutions. It also has 3D cameras that keep track of the user’s eyes, which allows the lenticular display to make subtle adjustments to maximize the 3D effect. The Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XF, front side.Matt Smith / Foundry And I must say, the Odyssey 3D G90XF has really nailed the core technology. Samsung didn’t want to spill its secret formula and wouldn’t tell me the specific hardware partners or tweaks it made. Whatever the details of their approach, I do think this is the best glasses-free 3D display I’ve tried yet (and I’ve tried dozens over the years). Speaking practically, the Odyssey 3D G90XF delivers a crisp, attractive glasses-less 3D image with a convincing sense of depth and few image artifacts. The 3D effect was obvious. At full strength, I perceived that the “back” of the image was about 4 or 5 feet away while the “front” felt about a foot away. The image itself was sharp and smooth with no hitching or image artifacts. That’s not to say it was perfect, though, and some of the traditional glasses-less 3D problems are still present. The 3D effect only works within a limited range. (Samsung recommends a range of approximately 22 to 38 inches.) The 3D effect also works best within 25 degrees of center, can degrade if you rapidly move your head, and might not work if a friend sits beside you (as eye-tracking is an essential part of the tech). This is one for true fans of 3D, then. The Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XF, back side.Matt Smith / Foundry But what can you play on it? At the moment, not much. The Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XF promises compatibility with just 12 games. I tried The First Berserker: Khazan, Grand Theft Auto III, and Palworld. Khazan was the standout. Samsung’s reps said the company worked with the game’s developer, Neople, to master the effect, and the game did provide an outstanding sense of immersion that genuinely enhanced the gameplay experience. Palworld looked fantastic in brighter scenes where its colorful characters could pop from the environment. But in darker scenes with less contrast, the 3D effect wasn’t obvious. Grand Theft Auto III‘s low-poly graphics gave the game an interesting “pop-up book” look, which I found charming, but the 3D effect felt overdone in some scenes. Other supported games include additional GTA remasters like Vice City, plus a roster of lesser-known games, like Unstop and Zero Protocol. I liked what I saw, but it must be said: a launch slate of just 12 games isn’t much. Perhaps knowing this, the Samsung Odyssey G90XF includes an AI algorithm that can convert some 2D video content into 3D. It only works with video—not games—that isn’t DRM restricted. Unfortunately, that means Netflix and Hulu are off the table, but it will work with YouTube videos and local files that aren’t DRM-protected. Interestingly, it also provides support for “side-by-side” 3D videos meant for VR headsets. I watched clips from Spider-Man: Far From Home and The Matrix. The Spider-Man clip, which was originally meant for VR headsets, looked amazing with the 3D conversion adding real depth to action sequences, and the sharpness and motion clarity were better than I remember from past displays. However, the original Matrix movie clip, which wasn’t intended for 3D, didn’t always show the 3D effect convincingly. It was fine, but it didn’t do as much to enhance the experience. Foundry And by the way, Samsung says the Odyssey 3D G90XF requires beefy Nvidia hardware, with the RTX 3080 as the recommended minimum. Yes, that means the 3D effect isn’t available on AMD hardware, no matter how powerful your particular card might be. In short, the Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XF is the best version of the glasses-free 3D effect I’ve seen so far. It offers an excellent sense of immersion, lacks the obvious moiré patterns of past displays, looks reasonably crisp in motion, and is otherwise tack sharp. Yet despite all these perks, it’s hard to see it as more than an impressive tech demo. That’s mostly due to the limited game roster. Samsung says they plan to support 50 games by the end of 2025, but I still don’t think that’s anywhere near enough. Content support has hampered past efforts to offer glasses-free 3D, including 3D televisions and Acer’s SpatialLabs 3D monitors. I suspect Samsung will run into these familiar problems.  Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF While the Odyssey 3D G90XF was the highlight of my time at Samsung’s office, the company also showcased a more practical display: the Odyssey OLED G81SF. Priced at $1,299.99, the G81SF is Samsung’s flagship 27-inch 4K 240Hz OLED gaming monitor. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF, front side.Matt Smith / Foundry Though I only had half an hour to review the monitor, I feel like I’ve already reviewed it before. It has the same svelte, swooping design as other Odyssey monitors, and has the same Samsung QD-OLED panel that I’ve tested in other monitors, like the Alienware AW2725Q. Samsung’s panel is spectacular with incredible contrast, a super-wide color gamut, and spectacular motion clarity. Sharpness is great, too, at 166 pixels per inch. HDR content looks vivid and bright. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF, back side.Matt Smith / Foundry In short: it’s a great panel, and I expect that means the Samsung Odyssey G8 G81SF will be a great monitor. But the price is a problem. At $1,299, the Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF is going to look uncompetitive in today’s market. I asked Samsung’s reps what they thought about this and they mentioned extras like the 3-year warranty and the monitor’s advanced cooling system. But many competitors make similar—even identical—points while offering comparable displays at lower prices. Samsung Odyssey G9 G91F There was a third new monitor in Samsung’s line-up, though it wasn’t available for me to try out personally: a new 49-inch ultrawide display called the Odyssey G9 G91F. Priced with an MSRP of $999.99, the Odyssey G9 G91F is positioned as a more affordable alternative to the other 49-inch Odyssey displays. It looks a bit more basic, has a lower VESA DisplayHDR certification (DisplayHDR 600, down from its predecessor’s DisplayHDR 1000), and it provides 5120×1440 resolution. But, importantly, the panel isn’t OLED and doesn’t have a Mini-LED backlight. That means it won’t have the incredible contrast of other current Odyssey G9 monitors. To be honest, I can see why Samsung didn’t want to show it. A VA panel monitor just wouldn’t look great placed next to a glasses-free 3D monitor and a 27-inch 4K OLED panel. Impressive monitors, unimpressive pricing Let’s recap launch prices for these monitors: Samsung Odyssey 3D G90XF: $1,999.99 Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 G81SF: $1,299.99 Samsung Odyssey G9 G91F: $999.99 This is where Samsung stumbles. At these prices, Samsung’s line-up simply isn’t attractive. The G90XF carries the same MSRP as Acer’s Predator SpatialLabs View 27, but $1,999.99 is a lot to ask for a monitor that currently supports only 12 games. The G81SF is almost certain to be excellent, but the nearly identical Alienware AW2725Q is $899.99. Samsung is sweetening the deal with special offers: the Odyssey 3D includes a $200 Samsung Credit and a JBL Quantum ONE Headset, while the OLED G8 model comes with a $300 Samsung Credit. These pre-order bonuses might help offset the premium pricing for early adopters. Pricing aside, both monitors look excellent—the Odyssey 3D G90XF is the best glasses-free 3D monitor I’ve tried and the Odyssey G8 G81SF is sure to provide a spectacular 4K gaming experience. They’re worth your attention if you’re in the market for a new monitor… and you’re willing to burn through a large wallet of cash. Further reading: The best 4K, HDR, and gaming monitors Read...

PC users who want to relive the nostalgia of an older Windows interface can download the free Linux distribution Q4OS and install the XPQ4 G UI. The GUI makes it possible to activate different interfaces within the Debian-based distribution Q4OS. In addition to Windows XP, you can also choose interfaces that mimic Windows 2000, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. While you can install and use Linux applications, the system offers a familiar graphical user interface that behaves like Windows, making it easier to navigate. Thomas Joos You can also run the system as a live installation using a USB stick. Since it’s available as an ISO file, it’s also possible to test the distribution in a VM. The Q4OS interface is already similar to Windows. By installing XPQ4, the aforementioned Windows interfaces can be activated. The developers of XPQ4 also offer a ready-made live environment with Q4OS in which XPQ4 is already installed and ready to use. Using Windows XP with Linux (even without installation) To use Windows XP via Q4OS/XPQ4, download the ISO file for XPQ4 as FreeXP from the developers. The best way to do this is to use the ‘FreeXP live CD image’ option under ‘Downloads.’ If you want to use Windows 10 with Linux on the basis of Q4OS and XPQ4, you can also use the ‘Free10 live CD image.’ The Windows 10 interface is available here, but without the option of activating older versions such as Windows XP. If you start this image, you’ll receive a Windows 10 interface based on Q4OS and XPQ4. Thomas Joos To start a PC with Q4OS, whether you’re using the Windows XP or Windows 10 interface, you can use tools like Rufus or balenaEtcher. Using Rufus as an example, connect the USB stick to your PC, start Rufus, and select the USB stick under ‘Drive.’ Under ‘Startup type,’ click on ‘Selection’ and pick the desired ISO file. You can leave the other settings as default. Click ‘Start’ to begin creating the stick. If you boot a PC, FreeXP or Free10 will start directly with the stick. Thomas Joos Logging on to Windows XP under Q4OS The default login for Q4OS utilizes the user name “adminq” and a blank password. You can also customize the language of the user interface during startup. After logging in, the operating system will automatically activate the Windows XP interface if you’ve started the FreeXP version. With the Windows 10 version, the Windows 10 interface will start instead. The functionality of FreeXP resembles Windows XP or whichever Windows version you’ve selected. Customize the Windows interface You can customize the displayed Windows version at any time using the ‘XPQ4 Desktop Styles’ tool. The different Windows versions are available for selection in the ‘Themes’ column. These include Windows XP with the classic view, Windows XP with the familiar colorful Luna interface, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 2000. Thomas Joos Click on a theme and select ‘Apply Theme.’ Next, select ‘Logout now.’ After logging out, log in with the user ‘adminq’ without a password. Working with Windows under Q4OS The operation of the respective Windows interface is similar to that of Windows. There are, of course, a few differences, as the system is based on Debian Linux with Q4OS. The Q4OS welcome screen enables the installation of programs via the ‘Install programs’ button. More features can be activated with ‘More options’ such as various graphical effects. The interface and general display can be customized via ‘Desktop Profiler.’ Thomas Joos Installing Q4OS with XPQ4 Instead of just testing the FreeXP live CD, you can also install the operating system. To do so, click on ‘Install Q4OS,’ which will launch the installation wizard directly in the user interface. This allows you to select the language, the keyboard model, and the Q4OS variant. It makes sense to select ‘Q4OS Desktop’ at this point. You can also specify the partitioning here. As part of the setup, you can set up your own user account with a test password. If desired, you can enable automatic login for FreeXP. Once the wizard is complete, the installation will begin. The operating system will be available on the PC when the installation finishes. After restarting, the user can log in with the new user name and password. Read...

Upgrading to a new SSD can significantly enhance your computer’s performance, whether upgrading to a larger SSD drive, a faster NVMe or M.2 SSD, or replacing an old SSD. For this reason, many users want to clone HDD to SSD for a better user experience. How do I transfer data from one SSD to another? Is it possible to transfer data from one SSD to another without losing data? This post covers three methods to copy data from an old SSD to a new SSD: Use professional disk cloning software to migrate a whole SSD to another Use Windows Explorer to manually copy and paste files between SSDs Use Windows Backup and Restore to create a backup image and then restore  How to prepare for a successful SSD data transfer Before diving into the methods, let’s see what you will need to do to enable a smooth and successful SSD-to-SSD data transfer: Ensure SSD compatibility. Confirm both SSDs use the same interface (e.g., SATA, PCIe, NVMe, M.2) and ensure the destination SSD fits the form factor of your device, such as 2.5-inch, M.2 2280, or M.2 2230. Ensure target SSD has enough space. When purchasing a new SSD, be sure to consider its storage capacity. It is acceptable if the target SSD is smaller than the source disk, but you must ensure it can accommodate all the data from the original disk. The target SSD disk should be larger than the used space on the source SSD drive. Clean up source SSD drive. The source SSD drive may contain numerous unnecessary or junk files, including temporary data, rarely used programs, duplicate files, caches, and corrupted files. The fewer files on the source drive, the shorter the time it will take for the data transfer. Connect destination SSD. You need to connect the target SSD drive to your computer for transferring data from one SSD to another. On a desktop, directly install the SSD alongside your old SSD. On a laptop, buy a SATA to USB cable or external hard drive enclosure to connect the target SSD via the USB port. Verify drive recognition. After connecting your new or larger SSD to your computer, ensure your PC can recognize it. To verify the recognition, go to Disk Management to confirm both SSDs are visible. Method 1. Clone one SSD to another without losing data Cloning is the best way to transfer all data, including Windows, programs, settings, and personal files, from one SSD to another. Some SSDs come with software to help transfer your data, such as those from Samsung, Seagate, WD, and Intel, which can assist in transferring data and Windows from one hard drive to another. For SSDs without a cloning solution, you must use third-party SSD cloning software to enjoy a safe and secure cloning process because Windows lacks built-in cloning features. Clonezilla can help you clone SSD to a larger SSD for data or Windows transfer, but you must run it on a USB drive, which requires a high learning curve and is thus unsuitable for beginners. Fortunately, this is no longer the case with EaseUS Disk Copy, a dedicated and professional disk cloning program with a highly streamlined interface for Windows computers. EaseUS SSD cloning software can move all data from one SSD to another without losing data or reinstalling Windows. EaseUS cloning software can migrate the OS from the first SSD to the new one, transfer C drive to a new SSD, and transfer data from one SSD to another with only one slot on a laptop or PC. Step-by-step guide on how to clone SSD to another SSD using EaseUS Disk Copy: Step 1. Connect the target SSD to your PC. Install the SSD on your desktop or connect it to your laptop via the USB-to-SATA cable. Step 2. Download and install EaseUS Disk Copy. Launch EaseUS SSD cloning software and click Disk Mode. Step 3. Select the source and target SSD drive. EaseUS Step 4. Adjust disk layout (optional). EaseUS “Autofit the disk” will change the target disk layout by default to optimize its performance. “Copy as the source” does not modify the target disk, and the disk layout remains the same as the source disk. “Edit disk layout” allows you to manually resize and move the partition layout on the destination disk. Step 5. Start the cloning process. Click “Proceed” to start cloning. The time required depends on the data size and SSD speeds. Step 6. Boot from the cloned SSD. To use the new SSD as your boot drive: shut down your PC, replace the old SSD, restart your PC, enter BIOS or UEFI settings (press F1/F2/DEL/Esc during startup), and set the SSD as the boot drive. Method 2. Manual copying and pasting files (for specific files) If you just want to move basic files–not system files or program files–from one SSD to another, the cut/paste or copy/paste method is the simplest and most direct way to transfer files from one SSD to another SSD. Use your mouse to select the files, right-click, and copy from C to D disk or from one disk to another in Windows File Explorer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to transfer data from one SSD to another on PC: Step 1. Connect the SSD. Connect the target SSD via USB-to-SATA cable to your laptop or install it internally on your desktop. Step 2. Copy and paste files Open Explorer and access the source SSD. Choose the files or folders you want to transfer. Copy (Ctrl + C) files. Go to the destination SSD. Paste (Ctrl + V ) files. Method 3. Back up and Restore data from SSD to another SSD If you prefer a built-in solution for transferring data, Backup and Restore (Windows 7) allows you to create a system image backup and restore it to a new SSD. This method is suitable for users with specific computer skills. However, you can’t restore individual files; only the entire image can be restored. You must also regularly recreate the image to ensure you have the latest version of your Windows environment and data. Here is how to use Backup and Restore to copy data from one SSD to another: Step 1. Create a system image backup on one external disk Connect the external disk via USB-to-SATA cable to your laptop or install it internally on your desktop. Go to Control Panel and select Backup and Restore (Windows 7). Click Create a system image and select the target SSD to save the system image backup. Choose which drive to back up, confirm your backup settings, and press Start backup. If Windows cannot boot on its own, you may also need to create a system repair disc or a recovery USB drive. Step 2. Restore the system image to the new SSD Ensure your backup media (external disk where the system backup is stored) and the new SSD are plugged in or inserted. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update and Security > Recovery and click Restart now under Advanced startup. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Restart now near Advanced startup. When your PC reboots, you will enter Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Go to: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > See more recovery options > System Image Recovery > Select a system image > Use the latest available system image (recommended) > Select Format and repartition disks (for restoring to a new disk, you’d better enable this option) > Click Finish. Then, follow the steps to restore your PC with the system image. If your PC won’t boot at all, boot it with the system repair disc. You will be taken to the Choose an option window, and you can follow the same steps to restore Windows and your data to the previous state. If you don’t want to replace your old SSD or use the target SSD as your boot drive, directly back up data/files from the old SSD to the new one. What to do after transfering files/data from one SSD to another After you migrate data from one SSD to another, perform a thorough verification to ensure everything is working correctly. Verify that all files are transferred correctly and accurately. Confirm that all file types can be opened without issues. Verify whether the data is integrated correctly with your migration goals. Verify whether user experience and computer performance are enhanced. Run some apps to test system features or network connections. Verify whether the system’s functionality and usability are satisfactory. Format the old SSD in Disk Management for reuse. Troubleshoot common SSD data transfer issues 1. Drive not detected Ensure cables/connections are secure. Update SATA/NVMe drivers. 2. Cloning errors Close background apps to free up resources. 3. Cloned hard drive won’t boot Verify boot partition flags. Update BIOS/UEFI. Check BIOS boot order. Rebuild BCD. 4. Slow PC performance Update necessary drivers. Verify connection type (USB/SATA). Conclusion This article covers three methods to transfer data from one SSD to another, including performing SSD cloning, manually copying and pasting, and using Windows Backup and Restore. If you try the Backup and Restore, you must reinstall drivers and apps. Manual methods work for small data transfer sizes, but cloning is the best way to transfer everything from one SSD to another without reinstalling or losing data. If you want a hassle-free solution, try SSD cloning with EaseUS Disk Copy. It lets you migrate all the data from one SSD to another without losing data or reinstalling anything. EaseUS SSD clone software enables you to move data from one SSD to another with the time of a cup of coffee. Try it now! Read...

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Tree planting efforts around Hawke`s Bay hill country farms are paying off, new data shows. A report presented to the Hawke`s Bay Regional Council Environment & Integrated Catchments Committee earlier... Read...